Mark Armstrong’s Weekly Update and News Review – 30 June 2017

This July 4th weekend holiday marks the 241st anniversary of our nation’s founding. We can only hope that the importance of what we are celebrating won’t be lost on most Americans amid the recreation, cookouts, parades and fireworks. It comes at a time when Americans are deeply and emotionally divided, perhaps more than at any time in modern history.

This weekend, actually next Tuesday, marks the annual memorial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the unique document authored by Thomas Jefferson with input from Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, edited by Congress. That document lays out the explanation for the rejection of the coercive and unjust burdens laid upon our early colonies by the Britain’s King George. Provocations upon the colonists had become unbearable and were wholly unjustifiable. Nevertheless, this declaration of separation from Great Britain was carried out with honor and humility.

In its opening statements, the document enshrines “Nature’s God” and the “Creator” as the author of inalienable Rights to include Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. These words and sentiments were also relied upon by President Abraham Lincoln to bring about the abolition of slavery in the United States.

John Adams wrote the following in a letter to his wife. “The second day of July, 1776, (the day Congress approved the resolution, two days before the official announcement) will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

Though many in media, education and religion may not see it this way, this has to rate with Thanksgiving as a completely guilt-free national Holiday, untouched by pagan influence, which has become the hallmark of the religious holidays.

While most of us will marvel at the miracle that is the United States of America, and fully enjoy the overtones of patriotism (perhaps in a way that’s been impossible in recent years), much of the mainstream media will be hard-pressed to stop gnashing their teeth, even temporarily, against every action and utterance of a president they absolutely despise.

It is very likely that there will be little respite from the angry disgust displayed across every media platform against a president they have concluded is a childish moron, interested only in self-aggrandizement while he “bullies” his detractors. Not only have they declared him “unfit,” a “schmuck,” and a “goon” who is “mentally unstable,” they also encourage their readers and viewers to dismiss any and everyone who supports him as EVIL. Not that former President George W. Bush wasn’t subjected to much of the same kinds of sentiment, he most assuredly was.

But now we’ve got well known celebrities suggesting assassination, and that’s only accelerated as the breathless drumbeat of “Russian collusion” has fallen completely apart. This comes after famous news personalities have wasted nearly a year of their lives stoking false expectations of prosecution and impeachment based on the ridiculous premise that candidate Donald Trump, his family members and campaign staff were secretly “colluding” with Vladimir Putin and Russian intelligence to undermine democracy in the United States. Many are still not ready to part company with this fiction despite the fact that it’s been discredited by everyone they depended upon to see the case prosecuted.

Having demanded investigations and an Independent Council, they may finally get what they hoped for, sort of. It’s beginning to look as though some of the nefarious uses of government agencies and offices by the previous administration may become the focus of interest. Can you imagine the howls of outrage that will come from the “hate Trump” media if that’s where the storyline goes? One more thing has become painfully obvious in recent days. Hatred of President Trump is insufficient to dozens of writers, pundits and opinion makers. Many of the more strident voices are also advocating for the outright dismissal and hatred of anyone who doesn’t share their venom!

Let us hope and pray that none of the gatherings or celebrations that are scheduled for Independence Day festivities are marred in any way by any of the grotesquely violent protesters, terrorists, or any who advocate violence against the President or those supporting his agenda. It may have become a capital sin to “progressives,” but some of us love our country as it was intended to be by the founders, and give thanks to Almighty God for having allowed us to enjoy the Liberty He’s afforded us.

Have a great Sabbath day, and a joyous 4th of July!

Mark Armstrong

P.S. We’ve sent out the new edition of 21stCentury WATCH (not on the subscription list? Request a free subscription – see phone numbers and email below),and hope the mail will get it to you in short order. The cover deals with one of the most dangerous threats on earth, the prospect of North Korea with intercontinental nuclear capabilities. You may have noticed, the President has been addressing that very issue this week in meetings with South Korea’s Prime Minister. The magazine also contains several articles important to understanding true Christianity, as opposed to that promulgated by the backward collars. The new monthly letter is also out the door. I’d like to thank our hardworking staff, and all the supporters who continue to make this Work possible.

The Bible is replete with prophecies, End Time prophecies concerning the modern descendants of the ancient tribes of Israel. The Jews, Judah, are but one of the Tribes. Who are the others? Can the TEN Tribes that made up the House of Israel, following the death of Solomon, in opposition to the House Of Judah, be identified in this modern world. They certainly can. There is a plethora of meticulously researched material from various authors, including Yair Davidy, a Jewish researcher and author living in Israel and Steven Collins, whose books can be found on Amazon.com among others.

BUT, you can have an equally well researched book, authored by Garner Ted Armstrong, that traces the Biblical promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and traces the history of the Tribes of Israel right up to the present time. Who are they? Where are they today? What does Bible prophecy foretell for these modern Israelitish nations as we approach the end of the age and the return of Jesus Christ. The end time is when Jesus Christ plainly stated, “22Andexceptthosedaysshouldbeshortened, thereshouldnofleshbesaved (alive): butfortheelect’ssake thosedays shallbeshortened.” Matt. 24:22 (read all of Matthew 24). World events and the destructive capability of nuclear weapons place us squarely in the time spoken of by Christ.